Copper Cookware

The excellent reputation of copper cookware comes from its unique property of being a good conductor of heat, which means that it offers a gentle, even heating which avoids hot spots, sticking, and burning. It also heats quickly, saving cooking time, and cools quickly, preventing delicate foods from becoming overcooked. You can cook any kind of food in copper cookware. It is particularly ideal for delicate sauces, risottos, and sautés because you can keep such a light touch with the temperature. Copper responds so quickly that you can reduce a sauce from a boil to a simmer in just a few seconds.

Copper cookware is safe to use because it is lined with a layer of tin or stainless steel, which prevents the copper from seeping into your cooking. Tin adheres very well to copper, and if the lining begins to wear away, it can be professionally restored. Stainless steel linings might bubble or warp over time, and if they do, the pan is ruined. Stainless steel lined pots are more expensive than tin lined, but in the long run you will appreciate its longevity. The majority of copper cookware has a guarantee of minimum 10 years; many offer a lifetime guarantee. Choose copper cookware that is thick and heavy, and has a strong riveted handle that will be able to withstand the weight of the copper pot or pan for many years.

Copper cookware should be polished frequently, even when not in use, to prevent the pan from corroding. Although many manufacturers state that their copper cookware products are dishwasher safe, it is recommended to hand-wash and hand-dry copper pots and pans to prevent spotting.